Chapter 305 Death

The spring of the new year does not seem to be that warm.

Perhaps due to overwork or some illness, Bud suddenly collapsed.

Bain quickly fed him milk and healing potions, but they were of no use. He slept in bed all day and had only eaten very little when he woke up the next day.

Although his condition was worrying, fortunately, after waking up, Bud returned to his previous state and lived a stable and regular life.

These days, Levi often comes here to visit.

Many times, when he came to the house, he would always see Bud pick up a pen, as if he wanted to write something, but every time in the end it seemed that he had written nothing.

"Eat an apple?"

In this not-so-pleasant spring, Levi took out a golden apple and tried to do something.

Faced with Levi's sudden gift without any reason, Bud just smiled.

He didn't take the apple.

"You know, I'm not sick or injured, I just... maybe I need to rest a little more."

As if he had noticed something, Bud suddenly said with emotion: "An era is about to pass, Levi."

“I can feel that I am standing at an end and a beginning.”

“I am honored to witness this and experience it firsthand.”

Opposite Bud, Levi opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word for a long time.

Boom boom boom…

There was a knock on the door.

It was Bain who came with Brand.

Today was a rare day of nothing to do, so the father and son came to spend a leisurely afternoon tea time with Bud.

As always, Bain sat at the side of the table, quietly keeping company.

Little Brand is as energetic as ever.

He hugged his grandfather Bud, talked to Bud for a few words, greeted Levi, was touched on the head twice by him, and then went out to play.

Everything seemed to be the same as usual, with no changes at all.

When the quiet and leisurely afternoon passed, Bain also left with Brand.

Bud stood at the door, looking at their backs and smiling.

That smile contained kindness, joy, pride... and relief.

Returning to the table again, Bud leaned back in his chair and said slowly:

"We did it, Levi."

"What?" Levi raised his head.

"Decades ago, you said that if everyone could value home more than gold and power, the world would be a much better place."

"Is it what you wanted now?"

After a brief silence, Levi nodded slowly.

Bard smiled again. He looked at the empty cup in front of him and said, "I feel... a little thirsty. Can you pour me a cup of tea? I have always been the one pouring tea for you. Can you let me be a little willful and experience the lord's tea-pouring service?"

"Of course, that's what."

Levi turned around, picked up the kettle of boiled water on the fireplace, and made some new tea.

"I really don't want to say goodbye to you."

Sitting on the chair, Bud looked at the busy figure and muttered this.

He slowly closed his eyes, as if he was dozing off.

Crash...

The sound of running water could be heard softly, the teacup gradually filled up, and wisps of hot steam rose up.

But the old man didn't open his eyes again.

Levi put the teapot on the table, sat back in the chair opposite, and just looked out the window for a long time without moving.

Like a statue.

The scenery in front of me became a little blurry.

Snap! The rope was pulled, and a small gift box was opened.

A candy popped out of the box.

Time seemed to go back to the years just after the Battle of Five Armies.

While River Valley City was still being rebuilt, a child running by on the side of the road gave Levi a small gift he had made himself.

Young Bud explained to him: "This is a small toy that is a specialty of Changhu Town. You only need to pull the rope to open the packaging and the box inside."

"Usually these toys contain some small candies or other small souvenir items."

"Based on my experience, judging by the sound, the thing in your hand should be..."

"Stop!" Levi stopped him.

"If you tell me, there will be no surprise. Let me open it myself."

"Okay." Bud looked innocent at that time.

He could never have imagined that this small box had been stored in Levi's backpack for decades.

"But it's rare to find someone as calm as you."

At that time, after stopping Bud's surprise destruction of the gift box, Levi put away the box and said, "If everyone can value home more than gold and power, then the world will be a much better place."

Obviously, Bud agreed with this statement.

He remembered it for decades.

In 2977, Archer Bard, acting Lord of Riverdale and Rhovanion, died.

During his reign, the territory developed rapidly and was prosperous and peaceful.

"Uncle Levi!"

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At the end of the year - also the last day of the year, when heavy snow covered the roof, it was still in this room, at this table, that Bain saw Levi again.

"I'll go make some tea."

He stood up quickly, fearing that he would not be able to keep his uncle if he was a step late.

"Thank you for your hard work during this period."

Levi took a sip of tea and offered encouragement to Bain.

After Bard's death, through collective recommendation and election by the people of the valley towns, Bayin took over Bard's authority as expected and became the second acting lord.

Although this title seems somewhat ordinary, many people have regarded it as a position similar to Gondor's "Prime Minister" and attach great importance to it.

The only difference is that one has a king and the other doesn't.

“It’s all my job.”

Bain responded to Levi's words and was a little dazed for a moment.

Since his father passed away, his uncle has never come to River Valley City again, so it is quite rare to see him now.

The room remained the same as before, without any change.

Levi sat in the chair by the window, and Bain still sat at the side of the table.

And the chair opposite Levi... was empty.

"Father, I brought some snacks."

In the quiet atmosphere, the door suddenly opened, and little Brand came in with some newly bought snacks and piled them on the table.

"Good boy, you are getting stronger and stronger." Bain rubbed the boy's head twice, making his hair a mess.

Brand opened his big watery eyes, shook his head helplessly, and was about to sit down on the empty chair opposite Levi.

But he was grabbed by Bain.

He shook his head slowly at the somewhat confused little Brand.

Although he didn't know why, Brand still chose to obey. He moved a small chair from the side and sat next to Bain.

"Don't worry too much."

Levi smiled and touched Brand's head.

What is dead is gone. Since an era has passed, let it pass.

People always have to keep moving forward.

…

This winter is getting colder.

When he walked out of the house and passed by Changhu Town again, Levi saw a relatively familiar hunched figure in the mayor's office.

Alfred.

At this moment, he was sitting blankly on the steps beside the house, just staring at the frozen lake, not knowing what he was thinking.

Looking at this silent old man, Levi was also stunned.

He has really changed.

If this had happened in the past, this guy would have run to a crowded place and cried loudly, shouting words like "Master" to let people know how excited he was.

But now he just sat alone in a familiar and secluded corner, not wanting to be seen by anyone.

Levi didn't disturb him, but turned around and left silently.

When he was far away from the familiar wooden house, he suddenly stopped, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.

Just close your eyes and wait quietly for the arrival of another year.

(End of this chapter)